The Green Bay Packers are preparing for the possibility that star running back Josh Jacobs could miss the start of the 2026 season because of a potential NFL suspension tied to an offseason arrest.
General manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters Wednesday that the team has been planning for that scenario as a precaution while expressing confidence in the depth behind Jacobs.
“I’m pretty confident we can sustain it,” Gutekunst said. “That doesn’t mean we wouldn’t do that, but yeah, we’ll deal with that when that comes. But we’ve obviously been prepared for that in case that happens. At the same time, I feel really good about the guys we got in that room, and I think we can survive that and kill it.”
Jacobs was arrested in May on charges related to domestic abuse following a disturbance complaint at his Wisconsin home. He was booked on counts that included battery, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct, intimidation of a victim, and strangulation and suffocation. He was released from jail the next day without formal charges being filed at the time, and the Brown County District Attorney’s Office has said the investigation remains open.
The NFL can still impose discipline under its personal conduct policy regardless of the criminal case outcome. The league’s baseline for a first offense involving domestic violence is a six-game suspension without pay, though the exact length can vary based on the circumstances.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter has indicated he believes the league is likely to hand down any suspension before the regular season begins. One report earlier this month quoted Schefter’s view that Jacobs may still face discipline stemming from the arrest and that any penalty would probably come ahead of the opener.
With less than three weeks until the Packers open the season on the road against the Minnesota Vikings, the uncertainty has put the organization on alert. Jacobs has also been managing a groin injury that sidelined him earlier in training camp, though he has returned to team drills this week and is expected to be available from a physical standpoint for Week 1 if no suspension is issued.
Last season, Jacobs carried the ball 234 times for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding 36 receptions for 282 yards. Those numbers marked a solid follow-up to his 2024 campaign, when he rushed for 1,329 yards and 15 scores in his first year with Green Bay after signing a four-year deal.
If Jacobs is forced to sit out games, the Packers would turn to a relatively unproven group. MarShawn Lloyd is expected to step into a larger role, though he has carried the ball just six times in his NFL career, all in 2024. Other options include Chris Brooks and Pierre Strong Jr., who have limited experience in Green Bay’s system.
Gutekunst did not rule out making an additional roster move if a suspension materializes, saying the team would address any needs if and when the situation develops. A suspension would also free up salary-cap space, with Jacobs projected to lose roughly $560,000 in base pay for each game missed.
The Packers have kept the focus on preparation throughout training camp even as the legal matter has lingered. Jacobs has participated in practices and shown the burst coaches want to see heading into the year.
Still, the possibility of losing their lead back for multiple games would test the running-back room early. Green Bay has leaned heavily on Jacobs the past two seasons, and any extended absence would require the backups to prove themselves quickly against a competitive NFC North schedule.
League officials have not announced a timeline for a decision on Jacobs’ case. Until then, the Packers say they are ready for whatever comes while hoping their primary option remains available when the games start counting.
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